At night, Mina and her belongings were quietly moved into her new home. Her husband, Adams, waited anxiously, heart pounding with anticipation. He couldn't wait to see her, hold her in his arms, and share the warmth of their first embrace. When Mina finally arrived, he rushed to her, gently grabbed her hand with a sigh of relief, and quickly excused everyone. Leading her into their new apartment, rose petals lined the floor. Scented candles lit the room in a soft glow. Mina's breath caught in her throat as she stepped inside.
He turned to her.
"You look like a dream."
Mina smiled shyly, eyes glistening.
"And you made mine come true."
That night, they talked for hours before they held each other under the dim lights. The moment wasn't rushed—it was tender, calm, full of gratitude. Two hearts are finally at peace.
They flew to Lagos—a gift from Adams' older sister and her husband. The Lagos beaches, swaying palms, and golden sunsets became the backdrop to the beginning of their forever. They swam, rode horses, explored the markets, and tried new foods. Each day, they grew closer, peeling back layers, learning, laughing, and falling deeper in love.
Adams would whisper, "I can't believe you're mine," every morning as they watched the sunrise from their balcony.
And Mina would reply, "You've always had my heart."
Returning home, reality greeted them warmly.
They moved into their new apartment—a beautiful three-bedroom flat on the edge of town, furnished with everything they needed. The living room had the sofa set Mina picked, the kitchen stocked with utensils her mother sent, and the bedroom wrapped in soft curtains and memories.
There were adjustments.
Mina missed her siblings' noise.
Adams sometimes forgot to drop his socks in the laundry basket.
She didn't always like his music.
He wasn't a fan of her late-night calls to her cousins.
A fresh chapter of their lives began.
It was the start of a beautiful love story—of Trish's parents. They were completely in love. Their marriage was blessed and filled with joy, affection, and deep emotional connection. That first night together was tender and passionate, brimming with excitement and love.
The days that followed marked many "firsts"—first mornings as husband and wife in their new home, first breakfast together, first chores shared, first hugs, and morning kisses:
Making tea before Fajr.
Folding laundry together.
Surprising each other with notes.
Holding hands while watching TV.
And so it began—
Weeks turned into a month, and every disagreement ended in laughter or a lesson. They talked things out. They learned to give and take. They learned that love wasn't just in the vows or the gifts—but in the small everyday moments. And one morning, Mina woke up with nausea and hiccups. A pregnancy test confirmed their hope—she was expecting.
They were ecstatic. Adams was overjoyed at the thought of becoming a father. He pampered Mina, helped with housework, and stayed close. But soon, changes surfaced. Mina's behaviour began to shift—she became more emotional, irritable, withdrawn, and sometimes rude or dismissive.
The beautiful, challenging, warm, emotional, and real journey of marriage all surfaces. They were two souls, one path, determined to write their story with love, faith, patience, and purpose. Adams noticed these changes and, though understanding, felt the emotional toll.
One evening, he gently addressed her:
"I understand the pregnancy is stressful, but your behaviour is affecting me emotionally. I feel disconnected."
Mina sighed and replied:
"I'm sorry. The hormones are overwhelming. I get irritated easily, and I lose control sometimes. I'll try to manage it better."
Adams held her hand. "We're in this together. I'll support you, and we'll get through it."
Then, one night, Mina clutched her stomach in pain. Adams woke up in a panic.
"What's wrong, love?"
"Take me to the hospital," she gasped. "I feel the baby coming."
In a blur, he helped her to the car and rushed her to the hospital. Hours later, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl—Trisha (Aisha). The news brought joy to their families, who celebrated with a naming ceremony, gifts, charity in the baby's name, and even the slaughter of a ram. It was a happy time.
But real life soon crept in. Responsibilities grew. The once-frequent poems, texts, and gifts faded into the background. Now it was about budgeting, parenting, and survival. Still, they talked through it all, adapting to their new reality with understanding.
Trisha turned one, already walking and incredibly smart. Then tragedy struck—Adams was in a car accident on his way home. He survived, but the recovery was slow. Months later, he lost his job. Though his body healed, their finances were shattered.
They moved in with his family house after a terrible flood destroyed their home and belongings. Luckily, he had some savings, which he used to start a business—but with little experience, it failed.
At this time, Mina was pregnant again. With no income, no food, and mounting bills, they were under immense pressure. The landlord demanded rent.
Mina was overwhelmed. She was pregnant, stressed, and now had to live among people she didn't connect with. Her introverted nature made things worse. She was quiet and often misunderstood as rude or aloof. She disliked arguments and withdrew even more.
Adams felt stuck—torn between his wife and his family. He struggled to manage the tension. Then, one day, after a heated argument, he lost control and slapped Mina.
Instant regret washed over him. She broke down in tears, and so did he. The emotional weight of their journey came crashing down. He knelt before her:
"Baby, I'm sorry. Please don't give up on me. I never meant to hurt you. This situation is killing me inside—I just don't know how to show it. I didn't bring you back here because I wanted to. We had no choice. Everything changed, and I'm trying my best to fix it.
You were supposed to understand and help me blend in until we found a way out. We're in this together. I know it's hard, but fighting each other will only make it worse.
I lost control. So many things are happening at once. But please forgive me. You are my angel. I love you more than I can say. I've always given my all to make you happy. I still want to. But now, I need your understanding, your patience, your strength.
Let's not destroy the love we've built because of this phase. It won't last forever. Things will get better—I believe that with all my heart. Please, hold on with me."